the harm.

THE HARM – BIOGRAPHY

In an era of music in which clichés run rampant, auto-tune reigns supreme, and a band’s popularity relies more on social networking skills than actual talent -- The Harm takes rock music and strips it to it’s essence. Hailing from the dusty suburbs of Los Angeles, the four-piece alternative rock band considers themselves outsiders of the flashy Hollywood music scene. These outskirts have embraced art, film, and music to create their own creative sub-culture. Their sincere belief in music has led them to pride themselves in their collaborative songwriting methods, their passionate live performances, and an clear desire to always be evolving; both musically and as individuals.

As childhood friends, guitarist Matt Tuggle and drummer Mike Musselman spent hours working out of Mike’s bedroom, songwriting, improvising, and slowly honing their distinct and unique harmonious style. In the fall of 2008, they crossed paths with singer/songwriter Scott Goldbaum and immediately requested that he, along with pulse-pounding bassist Nick Chamian, join them on their newfound musical endeavor. After only a few rehearsals, the undeniable chemistry between these musicians was impossible to ignore and thus, The Harm was born.

Drawing influence from career-rockers Minus the Bear, Radiohead, and Pearl Jam, The Harm is, most certainly, an ever-changing amoeba. Their installation of multi-instruments, including wurlitzer, mandolin, and African djembes, creates a limitless sound. In live performances, each musician brings their own rich musical stylings to the foreground – Tuggle’s ethereal guitar riffs, Goldbaum’s distinct melancholy howls, Chamian’s funky and soulful bass lines, and Musselman’s hard-hitting and yet detailed drumming – to create a truly original, holistic sound.

In 2009, The Harm bunkered down in NOHO’S Steakhouse Studios to record their 11-song self-titled album. Engineer Mark Needham, known for his work with Chris Isaak, The Killers and We are Scientists, mixed the record into a masterful blend of ambient prog-rock and heavy ‘locked-in’ riffs that put many ostensibly “harder” bands to shame.

The Harm’s newest release, “Reactions,” is a 4-song EP, once again mixed by Needham and produced by John Cranfield. In addition to “Reactions,” the quartet plans to release a music video for the EP’s single, “Lonely.”

The Harm plans to continue to do what they do best: fulfill their desire to evolve and maintain writing and performing music they honestly believe in.

--Hunter Cope, 2010.